Derek Timmons is well-known in the local music scene for his time with Robotic Humans, but he’s now playing bass in Sleazy Cortez with Nick Hales and Robotic Humans drummer Luiz Carranza. He also performs with the newly formed Death in Pretty Wrapping, with Michael Keeth and House of Broken Promises members Arthur Seay and Mike Cancino. For more information on Sleazy Cortez, visit sleazycortez.bandcamp.com. Here are Timmons’ answers to the Lucky 13.
What was the first concert you attended?
Nine Inch Nails with A Perfect Circle back in May 2000.
What was the first album you owned?
The first tape I bought with my own money was Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch Nails. Before that, I was into my parents’ tapes: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Halen, Queen, ZZ Top, etc.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Within the last few days, I’ve listened to High on Fire, Om, Bill Withers, and House of Pain.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Lame radio rap where there’s no real music, and the guy can’t even rap, either. I also hate pop country.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
1970s ZZ Top, early ’90s White Zombie, ’70s Misfits, early ’70s Black Sabbath, and, of course, Jimi Hendrix.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
I don’t really feel guilty about it, but I suppose I’d have to say the pure nostalgic pleasure of early ’90s radio rap, like Vanilla Ice or Snow.
What’s your favorite music venue?
Probably The Hood. I get to see tons of good bands there for cheap. It was definitely better before they moved the stage all awkward and changed their treatment of bands for the worse, but, hey, I still have a good time every time I go. As far as a real, legit venue, El Cid in Silver Lake is bad-ass.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Can’t Get You Out of My Head” by Kylie Minogue.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
When I bought Welcome to Sky Valley from Kyuss at the Piggy Banc Pawn Shop in Vincennes, Ind., for $1 one day after band practice, it set me on a musical journey that moved me 2,000 miles across the country, so that’s gotta be one specific instance.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
Lemmy: “Can we party?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Tiny Tim, “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.” Take that, bereaved friends and family!
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Damn, I’d probably get shot by the time I narrowed it down to my Top 10!
What song should everyone listen to right now?
Bill Withers, “Harlem.” (Scroll down to hear it!)
